Report of the Committee on the Church and the Metropolitan Community

By Dorothy Gist, Liaison

Mission
“ The Committee shall be responsible for identifying social and community issues for consideration by the Association, providing educational opportunities for clergy and laity on those issues, making the Association membership aware of opportunities for involvement with them, and presenting visible witness to them. It shall also review resolutions brought to the Association meetings, provide supplemental materials to those which the churches are already receiving on social issues and help interpret the activities and priorities of the United Church of Christ in the areas of social concerns .”

The Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration
The King Celebration was held in January at Bethany Congregational Church, E. Rockaway, and Pastor Mark Lukens and the membership provided for a rewarding afternoon. The theme: “Toward a Just Society: Responsible Stewardship and Dr. King's Economic Vision” was highlighted by the keynote speaker: Rev. Lucius Walker, Executive Director and Founder, Inter-religious Foundation for Community Organization. Several young adults from Bethany Church read excerpts from Dr. King's speeches.

Rev. Ronald Wells and the membership of Grace Church, NYC, are participating in an exchange program with Dr. Michele Rogers-Brigham and the members and young adults of Federated Church , Orleans , Massachusetts , and they joined us for the King Celebration.

Rev Geoffrey Black made the offering appeal for messages of hope, money and prayers for the UCC South Central Conference for Katrina Relief Efforts as they rebuild …we collected: $647.00. While the January weather is always a challenge, the events of the day and fellowship made for a successful King Celebration. Several suggestions have been made relative to the ‘07 King Celebration.

ListServ
The ListServ was designed as a vehicle through which to share information on social justice activities with UCC churches. There are currently 73 ListServ members and there is interest in having others to join us. Martha Gotwals is our Administrator – mradg@aol.com - why not join us in sharing social justice information?

2006 Budget
Based on the financial difficulties faced by the Metro Association, our Committee voted to return half of our 2006 budget - $1,500.00 – back to the Association to offset expenditures.

Networks Refusal To Run UCC Ad
A meeting was scheduled to discuss next steps relative to the decision of networks not to run the God Is Still Speaking ads. Unfortunately the meeting date – end of Lent and beginning of Easter – was not convenient. Information has been shared through the ListServ, Metro Website and Metro Newsletter to contact the networks and the FCC in protest about the refusal to air the ads and around discussions that could take place in churches around these issues.

Union Poverty Initiative, Union Seminary
One meeting has been held with the Union Seminary to discuss their Poverty Initiative. The Initiative “is part of a larger social movement to end poverty. Its objective: to train and inspire future religious leaders to join this growing response to the unacceptable economic justice in the richest country in the world.”

The following ideas have been discussed:

1. To provide ideas for future Pastor, Pew and Pulpit series

2. To explore a workshop together for our churches and other UCC churches in Northern New Jersey and Southern Connecticut around the Initiative.

Union Seminary has agreed to explore Continuing Education credits, through Auburn Seminary, for pastors who attend the series. There is on-going interest in both of these on the part of the Initiative, but there has been difficulty in scheduling a follow-up meeting. We'll keep you posted.

Blue Ribbon Committee
Based on their interest in the future of the Metro Association, the following members have agreed to serve on the Metro Blue Ribbon Committee: Martha Gotwals and Freeman Palmer, Elice Higginbotham will serve in a consulting role.

We're indebted to:

Rev. Freeman Palmer and Middle Collegiate Church, NYC, for hosting our meetings
Committee membership for its dedication to social justice efforts and high-energy